Six young ladies from Cherokee County are among those competing for the 2014 Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen Competition in Columbus this weekend at the River Center for the Performing Arts. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Miss Georgia.

Preliminary competitions were Wednesday through tonight with finals Saturday culminating in the crowning of Miss Georgia 2014, who competes for Miss America in September, and Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen 2014, who will vie for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in August.

Representing Cherokee County in the state pageant are Miss Cherokee Rose Patricia Ford of Johns Creek and Miss Cherokee Rose’s Outstanding Teen Caroline Schulte of Woodstock. Others participating in the pageant from Cherokee County are Miss Apple Capital Mary Ashley Tucker and Miss Rome Heather Burgess, both of Woodstock; and Miss Fulton County Brooke Doss and Miss Fayette County’s Outstanding Teen Cassidy Starling, both of Canton.

Ford and Tucker tied in the swimsuit competition Wednesday night.

Contestants in both programs are judged in private interview/onstage question, physical fitness, talent, and evening wear.

Each participant is also required to sponsor a “platform” or public issue/cause about which they feel strongly.

“Once again, Cherokee County will be well represented in both contests,” said Martin Chapman of the Miss Cherokee Rose Board.

Ford is the 20-year-old daughter of Walter and Ruby Ford of Johns Creek. She won the right to represent the area at the local pageant last October.

She is a senior at The Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Business Administration. For her talent, Ford will perform a ballet en pointe to “Fuego” by Bond.

This will be the first time she has competed at the state level and she says she is keeping an open mind.

“It will be a busy week filled with rehearsals, appearances, events, and competitions. I’m ready for the Miss Georgia stage,” Ford said. Her platform is “Stand for Those Who Can’t: Impacting Lives One Miracle Child at a Time.”

Tucker, 23, will be competing for the third and final time in Columbus. Her parents are John and Della Tucker.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a major in Digital and Broadcast Journalism, she will sing “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables.”

Tucker said she is looking forward to enjoying the week with the other girls and the opportunity to earn the job of a lifetime.

Tucker works closely with “It Won’t Happen to Me” Organization which is a nonprofit that encourages safer, more responsible driving and promotes saving lives by taking the pledge to never text and drive. That will be her platform.

Burgess, 19, is the daughter of Steve and Kitty Burgess of Woodstock. She holds the title Miss Rome and is a junior at the University of Georgia majoring in Psychology/pre-nursing.

She will tap dance to “Strike Up the Band” by George Gershwin.

Competing for the second time on the Miss Georgia stage, Burgess said she can’t wait to be surrounded by her favorite people in the world. During the week, “I plan to compete my heart out,” she said.

Her platform is Sjogren’s Syndrome Awareness.

Doss, 20, is the daughter of Jason and Susan Doss of Canton. A junior at Kennesaw State University, she has a triple major in Jounalism, Dance, and Political Science. Doss is a professional dancer and choreographer who holds three regional and two national dance titles. Her platform is “The Show Must Go On: Bringing the Arts to America’s Youth.”

She will perform a contemporary dance routine to “Note to God” by Charice.

Doss has competed twice in the Outstanding Teen competition, but this will be her first time in the Miss division.

She said she is looking forward to the entire experience, especially performing for her family and friends.

Schulte, is 17 years old and daughter of Mark and Tami Schulte, all of Woodstock. A senior at King’s Academy, this is Schulte’s first year at the state competition. Performing the 1932 classic song, “World on a String,” she looks forward to showcasing her talent and everything she’s worked tirelessly to accomplish. She hopes her efforts are enough to win the ultimate prize.

Schulte’s platform is “Volunteerism: Hands on America.”

Starling is the 16-year-old daughter of Neal and Julie Starling of Canton. She is a senior at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School and has chosen a piano selection by Maxwell Eckstein for her talent.

In her second year of competition, she said she is excited about the festivities surrounding the Miss Georgia Pageant.

Starling’s platform is “Girl Scouts: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Building Courage, Confidence, and Character in Young Women.”

Tickets may be purchased by calling the Miss Georgia Organization at (706) 322-2315.

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